CVE-2022-49404 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
RDMA/hfi1: Fix potential integer multiplication overflow errors
When multiplying of different types, an overflow is possible even when storing the result in a larger type. This is because the conversion is done after the multiplication. So arithmetic overflow and thus in incorrect value is possible.
Correct an instance of this in the inter packet delay calculation. Fix by ensuring one of the operands is u64 which will promote the other to u64 as well ensuring no overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-49404 resides within the Linux kernel's RDMA/hfi1 driver component, specifically addressing a critical integer multiplication overflow issue that could potentially lead to system instability or security compromise. This flaw manifests in the inter packet delay calculation mechanism where improper type handling during arithmetic operations creates opportunities for overflow conditions that may result in incorrect computational outcomes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper type conversion during integer multiplication operations within the RDMA/hfi1 driver code. When multiplying variables of different types, the multiplication occurs first followed by type conversion to the larger type, creating a window where overflow can occur before the conversion takes place. This particular pattern violates fundamental principles of safe arithmetic operations and represents a classic example of integer overflow vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-190 as "Integer Overflow or Wraparound". The specific operation in question involves calculations related to inter packet delay timing which are crucial for proper network communication handling within high-speed InfiniBand fabrics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple computational errors to potentially affect the stability and reliability of RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) operations within Linux systems. When the overflow occurs during inter packet delay calculations, it can result in incorrect timing values that may cause packet retransmission issues, network performance degradation, or even complete communication failures between RDMA endpoints. Systems utilizing high-performance computing clusters, data centers with InfiniBand networking, or any environment relying on RDMA for low-latency network operations would be particularly susceptible to disruptions caused by this vulnerability. The flaw could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to cause denial of service conditions or to manipulate network timing parameters in ways that could compromise system integrity.
The fix implemented for this vulnerability addresses the specific overflow condition by ensuring that one of the multiplication operands is explicitly declared as u64 type, which promotes the other operand to u64 as well through standard type promotion rules. This approach prevents the overflow by ensuring that the arithmetic operation occurs within a sufficiently large integer type that can accommodate the full range of possible results. The mitigation strategy aligns with defensive programming practices recommended in the ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and system compromise, as it prevents potential exploitation through arithmetic overflow conditions that could be leveraged for more severe attacks. This fix demonstrates proper type handling and arithmetic operation management that should be applied to similar operations throughout the kernel codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components.
The resolution of CVE-2022-49404 represents a critical maintenance update for Linux kernel distributions that support RDMA functionality, particularly those in high-performance computing environments where network reliability and timing precision are paramount. System administrators and security teams should prioritize applying this patch to environments utilizing RDMA hardware and software components to prevent potential exploitation of this integer overflow condition. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of careful type handling in arithmetic operations, especially within kernel space code where incorrect operations can have far-reaching consequences for system stability and security posture.